Can't find housing? Struggling with rising costs? Tell your story, in your own words

If you've been struggling with the rising cost of, well, everything you're not alone. P.E.I. has seensome of the highest inflation rates in the country,average rents are higher than they've ever been, the cost to buy a house has just about doubled in the last decade, the cost of food seems like it just keeps going up, and the list goes on.

That's where you come in.Have you ever thought about writing your own story, sharing yourperspective or life experience?

There's a Google form at the bottom of this page, but here's some more info before we get there.

What's a First Person column?

Great question!

CBC's First Person columns are a place to tell your story in your own words. It's a more personal way of sharing a story and givesreaders a little peek into your life experience.

A really good First Person piece can change the way someone sees the world by bringing them a new perspective, or even make someone feel a little less alone if they seethemselves in your story.

Here's anFAQwith more aboutCBC's First Person stories.

What are you looking for?

We publish all kinds of pieces, but this series is on housing and the cost of living.

You don't have to be a professional writer we'll work with you every step of the way. You just need to have a story you can tell inaround 500 to 600 words, and it has to be an original piecethat hasn't been published anywhere else.

The more specificthe better. Focus on one slice of your life experience rather than trying to cover everything.

Maybe you're a renter who can't afford a place to live. Maybe you've had to give up on buying a house, or you've been forced to move back home or drop out of school. Maybeyou've turned to the food bank tofeed your family, or you work two or three jobs and you're still not making enough to live. These are just ideas to help you get started!

Here are a few examples from a serieson climate change:

The requirements

• You have to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who can legally work in Canada, because the writers we choose will be paid for their work.
• You have to beavailable to work with your editor (that's me!) throughout the editing process.
• You have to consent to having your name and photos published on our website.

What's next?

I'm a producer here at CBC P.E.I.and the editor behind most of our First Person pieces.

I'll go through the submissions with our editorial team in Charlottetown and pick a handful of people whose stories reflect all kinds of life experiences. I'll get backto everyone who submits, even if your pitch isn't the right fit.

If we pick your story, I'llwalk you through what to expect as we edit your piece. I'llwork with you from your first draft to publication, from the story itself to the headline and the pictures that'll go along with the piece.

If you have any questions, you can email me at:devon.goodsell@cbc.ca.

Submit your pitch here

Some more First Person examples